Discuss parturition and lactation in human beings.
Discuss parturition and lactation in human beings.

LACTATION AND PARTURITION

The gestation period is the typical length of a human pregnancy, which is around 9 months.

Parturition is the expulsion/delivery of the foetus caused by a strong contraction of the uterus at the conclusion of pregnancy.

The foetal ejection reflex is a signal for parturition that comes from the fully grown foetus and the placenta and causes minor uterine contractions.

The foetal ejection reflex induces the pituitary gland of the mother to release oxytocin, which acts on the uterine muscle and causes the uterus to contract, stimulating more oxytocin secretion.

Lactation is the production of milk through the differentiation of mammary glands after the end of pregnancy.